Hotel Review: Andaz Papagayo, Costa Rica

[@madeleinedetray2521]

Totally agree!

[@VoyagerGuru]

Wasn't it great?! Have you gone back?

[@sidsharma97]

Great Review Guys! Going there next week

[@VoyagerGuru]

Thanks, Sidharth! Appreciate that! Have an amazing time- it's a really special place. Reach out if you need any tips!

[@VoyagerGuru]

Thank you! Hope you had a blast!!

[@yolandawilkerson5218]

Yes, Sidbarth please share your experience.

[@2013livelovelaugh]

Thanks for a great, thorough review! It’s very helpful since we’re considering going there for our honeymoon! You mentioned the large calendar of activities... were they mostly complimentary? Or was there a fee for all of them?

[@VoyagerGuru]

Hey Kaitlin! I'm so glad you liked it!! Congratulations on your upcoming honeymoon :). It's a really wonderful place to relax and it has an amazing spa. Definitely honeymoon approved!! Most of them were complimentary (like yoga or activities around the beach and pool). Some had a small charge like a mixology class or coffee class (but they were relatively low - around $20 and 100% worth it). If you want to do excursions, those are a bit pricier but there was a lot happening on property while we were there.

[@AdaywithDestiny]

Such a great review! Planning a trip out this way and I have a few hotels I am leaning towards, this was the best in detailed review I have seen! You guys pulled me back to this hotel. Thanks!

[@VoyagerGuru]

Hey there! Thanks so much for the kind words! You’re so sweet ❤️. We really loved it!! I hope you do too. Where else were you looking?

[@AdaywithDestiny]

@@VoyagerGuru I am looking at the W hotel that just opened 8 months ago I believe. There are not many videos on this property yet but we do love experiencing newer versions of hotels we like here in the US.

[@VoyagerGuru]

Wow it looks beautiful! Definitely a nice, expansive property and love that it’s new. The beach looks similar but definitely longer. I think you can’t go wrong with either - does seem like the service may be better at the Andaz from TripAdvisor, but since it’s newer, they’re probably just working out some kinks. Let me know what you decide and how it is!

[@AdaywithDestiny]

@@VoyagerGuru I noticed that as well. Thanks a bunch!

[@AdaywithDestiny]

@@VoyagerGuru I will! Thank you!!

[@master19421]

Great review, thanks. Just a question, how do you get from San Jose to the hotel?

[@VoyagerGuru]

Hey! Thanks so much ❤️. We rented a car at the airport in San Jose and drove up (we stopped for a few hours to enjoy the hot springs in Tabacon) and it was a spectacular drive. You can also fly directly to Liberia which is only a 20-30 minute drive from the hotel. I’ve seen some flight deals to both lately so Liberia is a better option if you’re trying to get there quickly. Let me know if you have any other questions!

[@mjhns2]

Are the drinks included? Do they have a food package?

[@VoyagerGuru]

Hey Miguel! The drinks and food were not included in our stay and it did not look like there was an option to add full board or something like that. Some rates may include breakfast though. I would budget for your meals for sure- depending on where you eat and when, the prices tend to range. The food and drinks were delicious though :)

[@yolandawilkerson5218]

@@VoyagerGuru did you two eat off property at all?

[@marcosgonzalez7808]

Great review. Going there in a few months. Questions. Is food expensive? Did you used your car to go outside the hotel? Any city nearby? Thanks

[@VoyagerGuru]

Marcos Gonzalez hey Marcos! Thanks for your comment. So excited for you!! We loved this property. The food is more expensive that what you’ll get in the towns, but it is really fabulous. Costa Rica is not known for the best food in the world so we were pretty blown away by breakfast and dinner. It’s worth the expense at least once and it’s a beautiful setting. If you go into any of the little towns, you’ll find many less expensive options. We did have a car so we could explore and our stay was fairly short so it was worth it. I personally think it’s worth getting a car so you can find all the beaches and towns along the coast. For example, I would head down to playa flamingo or playa hermosa- the little towns on the beaches are so cute with great shopping and cheap food. Since the hotel is in a gated community, we found it nice to go explore some of the lively beachfront areas during the day and head back to the hotel in the afternoon. Let us know if you have any other questions!

[@HappyRareGrooveMan]

Is there any local entertainment on site or on the beaches .

[@VoyagerGuru]

Hi there! Honestly, no, not really. Andaz is located in a gated community so the beach is very private and quiet. There's no vendors or anything like that at the beach. At the time we were there, they didn't have any live music at the hotel, but it did have nice ambience and music through the speaker system at the restaurants. I hope this helps!

[@HappyRareGrooveMan]

Thank you for your kind response , the hotel looks lovely but we both are night owls and love music and dancing although we are a mature couple . Have a wonderful Christmas 🙏

[@VoyagerGuru]

@@HappyRareGrooveMan ahh yes, then this is probably not the right property for you. It was very quiet very early!! Let me know if you'd like a recommendation :). safe travels!

[@biaT6942]

Did the beach have sand fleas?

[@biaT6942]

What month did you guys go? We’re thinking about September and I know that’s rainy season.

[@yolandawilkerson5218]

Awesome review! This was so thorough. Going to Costa Rica for Valentine's weekend February 2020. Have reservations at both Andaz and El Mangrove trying to make a decision. Did you two find that you enjoyed Andaz more? Loved the boat tour to secluded beaches and also interested in Volcano Hot Springs excursion... Thoughts??🤔🤔

[@VoyagerGuru]

+Yolanda Pearson Wilkerson thanks so much!!! And wow what a trip!! I hope you love it as much as we did. We found andaz to have a bit more happening and the food was exceptional. The landscape makes it so that the view from every room is still good, even at the lower tiers. The room we had was one of our favorite! El mangroove is great as well, but I think we preferred andaz’s service and property. The beach isn’t amazing at either, the pools are more “where it’s at”. The boat tour is an amazing splurge if you go private. I’m sure there are larger tour offerings for less as well. 100% go to Tabacon if you can! The resorts hot spring facilities are INSANE and incredible. It’s a big drive to get there but it’s sooo worth it if you can make it. We rented a car if it helps. The hotels also offer tours you can take a look at. Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions!

[@yolandawilkerson5218]

@@VoyagerGuru Awesome! Thank you! This is very helpful! I'll definitely follow up when we return. I couldn't remember which Volcano Hot Springs to go to so thank for that one. I need to get off of you tube and embrace the plans I have in store. 😊

[@VoyagerGuru]

I can’t wait to hear about it!! I hope you have a blast :). Let me know what you think of the hot springs and hotel for sure :). We actually didn’t leave to eat- the food at the hotel was so good - whoops!!

[@yolandawilkerson5218]

@@VoyagerGuru perfect. Wait, you two rented a car correct? Didn't want to do that but want to make sure I can book the Hot Springs tour via the hotel. I'm looking online and it looks like many companies only pick up from hotels in San Jose. And we're flying directly into Liberia and heading straight to Andaz.

[@VoyagerGuru]

That’s correct- we did because we flew into San Jose (long drive). El mangroove ran tours to the volcanos and it’s down the street from andaz. I would call andaz and verify that they do run tours as well. If they don’t, see if they know any local companies that will take you (they should- we saw a few signs in town of the tour). Worst, worst case, you can rent a car for the day and it’ll be cheaper than for the week.